A U.S. engineer has created the world's first 3D printed kayak which took 42 days to print and cost just $500.

Jim Smith has built the multi-coloured kayak, which is not only able to float but can also carry him in the water, using 28 sections made of ABS plastic, fixed together with brass screws and sealed using silicone caulk.

Mr Smith, who works at design company 3D Systems, has showcased the vessel on his blog Grass Roots Engineering - which tracks the improvements made to his 3D printer.

On the blog, he says the design of the kayak was originally based on the Siskiwit Bay kayak by Bryan Hansel, although it had to be modified for 3D printing.

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American engineer Jim Smith has built the world's first 3D printed kayak - and it took him just 42 days

This incredible and extremely colorful kayak was created using a 3D printer. It is made of ABS plastic, machine screws, brass inserts and silicone. The materials cost Mr Smith $500

The engineer assembled the 28 parts after a period of six weeks and created this 16 foot 8 inch kayak

The kayak measures 16 foot 8 inches in length and has a width of 1 foot 8 inches. It weighs 64.58 lbs.